Do you actually know anybody whose vote was swung by these Swift boaters?

[bluestateguy]

Sure, anti-Kerry Bushbots are going to have their worldview reinforced, but I want to know if you personally know anyone who was for Kerry or leaning towards Kerry whose vote was swung to Bush by these defamatory ads.

[latebloomer]

1. No, and I doubt there are many

Mostly the kind of folks who start to say "Slowly I turn" at the mention of Jane Fonda.

[the Kelly Gang]

2. doubt few are 'turned' but it's diverting attention from real issues

[codegreen]

3. it's whole purpose has probably been to help keep *'s base thru hate

that whole, 'no! you can't even think of going to HIM, because... look at this!'

that and to divert attention from issues and try to drain Kerry's time/resources

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. No, not at all.

It's only made the people who hate Kerry hate Kerry more and the people who hate Bush hate Bush more.

[snippy]

5. No, but a large part of Bush's purpose in running the ads is to discourage

possible Kerry voters, especially new voters, from voting at all. Depressing turnout is one of the main reasons negative ads are used.

[cornermouse]

6. Kerry's back down to a 1% lead over Bush

prior to the Republican convention. That pretty much says it all as far as I'm concerned.

[Julien Sorel]

9. Post hoc ergo prompter hoc.

[cornermouse]

10. Gonna ignore numbers?

Some might consider it the same as ignoring facts. What Bush has done via the Swiftboaters appears to be working. The resulting price tag is another 4 years of Bush. We REALLY, literally can't afford to ignore that.

[JI7]

11. if Kerry had acted reactionary to every poll that came out

as some on du do, then he would have been out of money long time ago.

did you think kerry would always be ahead by a large amount ? did you think there would never be low points ? will you be surprised if bush is leading after the republican convention ? do you think the republicans are not going to come out with more lies after this one is cleared up ?

the campaign has limited money to spend. it's part of the strategy to know when,if, and how to respond using that money after taking into account many factors.


and the campaign IS responding but the media wont report it. but it's just something we have to deal with.

[cornermouse]

12. Keep sleeping then.

Enjoy the coming nightmare.

[JI7]

14. did you even read what i said

they HAVE been responding. but the media wont report it and when they do they often spin things. that's not sleeping.

especially since the candidates are going around directly to the people and campaigning. that's not sleeping.

strategizing how when and if to use the money is not sleeping. it's being smart.

[cornermouse]

21. Its one of the reasons that Dukakis lost.

I'm not saying democrats should be as aggressive as republicans, but I am saying they DO need to defend their position. In case you didn't notice, Kerry is losing ground. In a close election, that's not good.

[Julien Sorel]

13. Post hoc ergo prompter hoc. You did it again, but

this time you threw some straw man in, presumably for variety's sake.

[RhodaGrits]

7. My mom - thank god i got her swumg back.

she's in NC and started repeating the "people say... " meme about possible self-inflicted wounds etc. I went ballistic on her - was spewing so bad about the lies that she finally burst out laughing and said "I'll vote for Kerry!!!" LOLOLOL

[bowens43]

8. I know two people whose votes went the other way.....

They were both going to vote for bush but after seeing thelinks between the swift boat liars for bush and the administration they have changed their minds. One will vote for Kerry the other says he will stay home.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Personally? No. Could I see it happening? Yes. But, the story is already

losing its momentum. Rove and Co. sprung it far too early, and it will completely lose its effectiveness.

[Claire Beth]

17. yeah, just in time for the NEXT lying ad....

to start airing....and then another and another. The bushies campaign and all their people KNOW they are in trouble and they are going to lie and spread lies out of desperation because it's the ONLY way they stand a chance of winning. We must fight back and NEVER give in...NEVER GIVE IN....I know of several people who have changed from Bush votes to Kerry votes, but I don't know ANYONE who had planned to vote for Kerry and are now voting for Bush. We've just got to keep on fighting like we've been doing. I HOPE the American people can see thru all the lies and dirty work behind the Bush et al. GO KERRY GO!!!!

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. and each time they continue on, they will look more ridiculous.

:hi:

[merh]

16. Yes, a person that has voted for every democratic presidential

candidate since Carter. When we discussed the upcoming election she said she couldn't vote for Kerry because he was such a liar and he shot himself in the foot! I was horrified and tried to make the distinctions about * never serving in Nam and being a desserter, but she was adament. She even mentioned the botox!

We debated for awhile and then she bet me $10 that * would win.

I can't wait to give her all of the new material on the legitimacy of the swiftboatliars!

[CaTeacher]

19. I also know

several Democratic voters who have turned. I have been working the local phone bank and walking precincts for our party--and I have been coming across Democratic turncoats at an increasing rate over the last week.

Additionally, the kids are making fun of Kerry they are calling him a "Cry Baby".

Normally, this would really worry me--but my fellow DUer's have assured me that the "BIG GUNS" are going to be brought out soon--and that Kerry is brilliant. He is playing chess--and is several moves ahead of the rest of us.

I certainly hope that this is true--because what I am witnessing here in sunny California, is a feeling that public opinion is turning against us--even in this Democratic stronghold.

[carpetbagger]

20. I know people whose support is based on nothing in particular.

So, yes, I do know people whose votes are likely going to be influenced by this. They say that Kerry is just unfit. They don't say it's because of this smear, or anything in particular, but clearly they are the types of people who this campaign is designed to work through.

The proper response is to push the Bush as JR Ewing meme. If people see the guy as a ruthless person who will do anything to get what he wants, and who has the connections to make it happen, he's toast.

[ModerateMiddle]

22. anyone who was turned, can be turned back

because this is such a "non-issue", the only people it would have influenced are people who don't already have a strong feel for which candidate would represent them best.

This is similar to the Moore movie, in that mostly it was preaching to the choir. I don't know for sure what will ultimately convince the "persuadables" in this country, but history has lots of evidence that those undecided voters are undecided because they have lots of questions about Bush.

The debates will be the turning point.

[AngryAmish]

23. Of course - It is killings us

That is why those liars must be utterly destroyed. Go after their character, their families. It does not matter. Find or invent any weakness and use it. Crush them.